5 signs of life from the Atlanta Falcons in their win over the Saints
This was the game the Atlanta Falcons fans needed to see coming out of the bye-week after an atrocious embarrassing start to the 2019 season.
Not just because we enjoyed watching the Atlanta Falcons smack the New Orleans Saints around their home stadium. Not only as a reminder that winning is preferable to losing, although that message certainly needed to be driven home. Not because it keeps them mathematically alive in the playoff hunt; there are too many variables out of their control to be real hope.
We were, for the first time all season, allowed to see what the talent on this Falcons team could do when properly coached, schemed and inspired.
It was an impressive display, and easily the most complete game we’ve seen from them since 2016. That it can be sustained is to be determined. But we can take away from it several things.
1. The offensive line gelled.
It wasn’t just that the Saints managed only one sack and Matt Ryan had a clean pocket for most of the afternoon. It was the way the Atlanta Falcons line opened holes and allowed the running game to define their attack. Previously averaging an anemic 77 yards per game, Atlanta finished the day with 143 yards on the ground, and that’s playing half the game with third-string running back Brian Hill carrying the load, with Ito Smith on IR and Devonta Freeman leaving the game after the first half.
This was a key to their win, as the Saints like to shut down the running game and force other teams into a shootout, where they have a clear advantage. Going into this game, they were fifth in the league in rushing yards allowed. Not only did the Atlanta Falcons ground attack take the Saints out of their game, but it also kept Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, and Michael Thomas on the sidelines for long stretches.
They played clean, smart, and disciplined, and didn’t dig themselves into the holes they’ve been in much of the season.
2. The defense finally stopped underachieving.
Maybe it was as simple as letting LB coach Jeff Ulbrich take the defensive coordinator reins from head coach Dan Quinn, but the Atlanta Falcons defense dominated the Saints, allowing their high-octane offense only three field goals.
Ulbrich put them on the attack instead of sticking to the reactionary schemes Quinn previously commanded. The front line received blitz help, an unheard-concept prior to Sunday, and the maligned defense put Brees on the ground, sacking him six times and making him noticeably twitchy most of the game. They held the eruptive Kamara to 24 rushing yards.
The attack led to a rebirth of sorts for Vic Beasley and De’Vondre Campbell, both of whom reminded us how disruptive they can be when used correctly. Neither is the kind of player who can control a game on their own. Few are. But within the context of good design, they can make the plays when called upon.